2021 U.S. Olympic Trials: Day 2 Prelims Preview

2021 U.S. OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS

The women’s 100 back is one of the most highly anticipated races of the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. And it’s happening today.

Former World Record holder Regan Smith tops the start lists with the fastest entry time.  Today we will see her response to Kaylee McKeown‘s 57.45 which she posted the other day at the Australian Olympic Trials to break Smith’s World Record. The 100 back field is deep, headed next by 2016 Olympian Olivia Smoliga, Alabama’s Rhyan White, Kathleen Baker and Phoebe Bacon. There is just no telling how fast they will push each other to go.

Notably, Baker is dealing with a foot fracture and its still unclear how much that may affect her in the race. And 6th seed Claire Curzan scratched the event, presumably to rest up for her 100 fly final tonight.

In the men’s 200 free, Andrew Seliskar and Townley Haas are seeded 1-2, separated by .20. This event is always an exciting race, with the 4×200 free relay spots up for grabs.

The 200 free will also be Caeleb Dressels first event of the meet. While he is ranked 11th, that relay spot is still very much a possibility for Dressel. He’ll vie for it alongside Seliskar and Maxime Rooney in heat 7.  400 free champion Kieran Smith tops heat 5. Like Dressel, Ryan Lochte will be kicking of his 2021 Olympic Trials lineup with the race, out in heat two. 4th seed Dean Farris scratched the event.

World Record holder Lilly King steps up to race on the Omaha Trials stage for the first time this meet in the women’s 100 breast. While she is seeded first with a substantial lead, veteran Annie Lazor and 17-year-old Lydia Jacoby may have a tight race here alongside 4th seed Molly Hannis.

Another big race to watch is the men’s 100 back where 2016 Olympian Ryan Murphy will face off with Texas A&M’s Shaine Casas. Olympic veteran Matt Grevers is seeded 3rd.

The final event of the prelims session, the women’s 400 free, will feature defending Olympic champion Katie Ledecky. Going into this weekend, Ledecky owed the top 7 fastest 400 meter freestyle times in history, although Australia’s Ariarne Titmus just came within half a second of Ledecky’s World Record in this event. While Ledecky is pretty untouchable on the American stage, her swim in response to Titmus will be exciting. Leah Smith is seeded second by 2 seconds.

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TJSWIMMER
2 years ago

This 100 Back Final tomorrow night is going to be INSANE. Smoliga’s gonna have to drop the 200 Free tomorrow, unless she just does the prelims. Doing the double tomorrow night is not worth the risk.

Edit – just realized I had the wrong tab open when I posted this…lol

Last edited 2 years ago by TJSWIMMER
SimGM
2 years ago

GO HOOSIERS!!!!!!!! Redemption for Cody Miller begins!!!!!!

Guerra
Reply to  SimGM
2 years ago

Yeah baby! The Hoosiers are banging the drums!

513-SwimFan
2 years ago

How many 200 Fr swimmers make the team for the 800 relay?

Akos
2 years ago

So, anyone think Lochte can snag a relay spot on the 4×200?

BillyBob
Reply to  Akos
2 years ago

Do these downvotes just mean someone doesn’t think he can or they dislike the question being asked? I don’t think he can but I like the question.

Akos
Reply to  BillyBob
2 years ago

Who knows lol. It’s an inoffensive question though, so the votes are probably their answers

513-SwimFan
Reply to  Akos
2 years ago

How many swimmers do they take/make the team for the 800fr relay?

Akos
Reply to  513-SwimFan
2 years ago

There are exceptions, but usually the top six swimmers in the final are selected for the relay.

Akos
Reply to  Akos
2 years ago

Apparently not!

PVSFree
2 years ago

Woah Dean scratched the 200 free? Is he going all in for the 100 back? That’s an odd decision, hope everything’s alright

Pez
2 years ago

Idk why people are worried about Regan. She is definitely much better at 2 fly, and regardless probably focused a lot of her training on backstroke. I am sure the 1 fly was a good opportunity to shake out the nerves and get a feel for the water.

Swimfan
Reply to  Pez
2 years ago

I hope so

swammer2009
Reply to  Pez
2 years ago

I agree. I thought she looked solid. Making top 8 at trials in an “off” ish event is legit.

MichaelTran
2 years ago

Winning 1500m in a WR than save your energy for 4x200m replay & 800m is a better idea

MichaelTran
Reply to  MichaelTran
2 years ago

“Then” not “than”

MichaelTran
2 years ago

Ledecky needs to choose 200m or 1500m
That double is impossible to go through at Olympic level

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  MichaelTran
2 years ago

Don’t read too much into a swim where you get to sandbag the prelims and have your countrymate play rabbit for you in the finals. There are three rounds, and two of them aren’t easy in Tokyo. Give me the endurance queen Ledecky any day in that scenario.

About Annika Johnson

Annika Johnson

Annika came into the sport competitively at age eight, following in the footsteps of her twin sister and older brother. The sibling rivalry was further fueled when all three began focusing on distance freestyle, forcing the family to buy two lap counters. Annika is a three-time Futures finalist in the 200 …

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